Fact: HIV and AIDS are problems in the United States.

HIV and AIDS are not problems that exist only in Africa or in other parts of the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1.2 million Americans 13 years and older are living with HIV.

One in four people living with AIDS in the United States in 2014 was a woman. An estimated 128,778 women have died of AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic in 1981.

Fact: HIV is not the same as AIDS.

HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS. You have AIDS if your CD4 count drops below 200 or when you have certain infections or cancers. You can have HIV for years without having AIDS. Being infected with HIV does not mean you have developed AIDS.

Also, people with HIV who start treatment early in their infection, stay on treatment, and have an undetectable viral load can stay healthy and prevent the disease from progressing to AIDS.

Fact: HIV tests are reliable.

Newer HIV tests identify the virus itself and a marker on the virus called p24 antigen. These tests can detect HIV infection much earlier than previous tests. A follow-up test to confirm the results also can determine the strain of HIV infection you may have. 

Fact: HIV cannot be cured.

There is no cure for HIV at this time. But with today’s medicine, women can reduce their viral load (amount of HIV in the blood) to the point that it is undetectable. This means that your viral load is fewer than 40 to 75 copies in a sample of your blood.

An undetectable viral load does not mean that you no longer have HIV. It is still possible to pass HIV to others, although the risk is much lower. Having an undetectable viral load also helps prevent the progression to AIDS or getting other infections.

Research is being done that may lead to new treatments and new ways of preventing HIV infection. In the meantime, women with HIV are living full lives, including working, having children, and participating fully in their communities.

Fact: There is no vaccine to prevent HIV.

Right now we do not have a vaccine to prevent HIV. Vaccines are the best way to prevent diseases you can get from other people, like the measles, mumps, or polio. Researchers have been working for more than 20 years to develop a safe and effective vaccine against HIV.

HIV is a complicated virus that changes over time. This makes vaccine research difficult, and it takes a long time to do the research. Researchers are closer to developing a vaccine to prevent HIV and a vaccine to treat HIV and AIDS.

Fact: People with HIV should start HIV medicine right away.

Even if you’re feeling great and have no symptoms, HIV is hurting your immune system. To protect your immune system, most experts recommend starting HIV medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) as soon as you are diagnosed with HIV. Because these drugs reduce your “viral load,” or the amount of HIV in your blood, they also reduce your chances of passing HIV to others.

Fact: You cannot know if your partner has HIV unless he or she is tested.

It can take years for you to see symptoms of HIV. This is called the latency period. The only way to fully protect yourself from sexually transmitted HIV is to not have sex of any kind. Using a condom correctly every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex can reduce the risk of passing HIV by 80%. Male latex condoms offer the best protection against HIV, but female condoms are also approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help lower your risk for HIV infection.

Use a condom every time you have sex for two reasons. First, your partner might be infected but not know it. Second, you cannot control your partner’s risky behavior. You can know only your HIV status and control only your own risk-taking.

Fact: You (or your partner) need to wear a condom during sex, even if you are both HIV-positive.

If you and your partner have HIV, you still need to practice safer sex. Use a condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Condoms can protect you from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Also, since there are different strains (types) of HIV, you can be infected a second time with a different type than what you already have. Some forms of HIV are also more virulent, meaning they progress to AIDS faster. You could become infected with a drug-resistant strain of HIV. This can make it very hard for treatment to work.

Fact: Women can give HIV to men.

It is much harder for men to get HIV from women, but it does happen. HIV can enter a man’s body at the opening of the tip of the penis and through cuts or sores on the shaft that may not be visible.

Plus, if a partner has an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI) like genital herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia, the risk is even higher. These infections can bring more CD4 cells to the area of infection or cause breaks in the skin. These STIs also raise your risk for passing HIV to others.

Fact: A pregnant woman with HIV can lower the chance of passing HIV to her unborn baby to less than 1%.

A woman who knows about her HIV infection early in pregnancy and gets antiretroviral (ARV) medicine can lower the risk of passing HIV to her baby to less than 1%. Without treatment, the risk of a mother with HIV passing it to her baby is about 25% (in the United States).

If you are pregnant, get tested for HIV. Also, do not breastfeed your baby until you and your doctor are certain you don’t have HIV.

Fact: Lesbians can get HIV.

It is rare for women who have only ever had sex with women to get or pass HIV. But HIV can be passed through vaginal fluids and menstrual blood.

Avoid sex if you (or your partner) have HIV and either a yeast infection or your period. Also, do not share sex toys, because microscopic particles in the fluids on sex toys can pass HIV. You can also get HIV from drugs and shared needles or syringes.

Fact: Women of all ages, races and ethnicities, and sexual orientations can get HIV.

Any woman who has unprotected sex or shares needles or syringes with someone who is HIV-positive or whose HIV status is unknown is at risk for HIV.

HIV is not just a disease of gay men. In fact, worldwide, most people living with HIV are straight (heterosexual), and more than half of people living with HIV are women. In the United States, women make up about one in four people living with HIV.

Most women who are HIV-positive got HIV from unprotected sex with an HIV-positive male. 

Fact: You can get HIV from sharing needles or getting tattoos or body piercings.

Sharing needles is the second most common way that HIV is spread to women in the United States (sex is the most common way). Any woman who shares needles with someone who is HIV-positive or whose HIV status is unknown is at risk for HIV. 

It is also possible to get HIV from tattoo and piercing tools that are not sterilized correctly between clients. Tools that cut the skin should be used once and then thrown away or sterilized between uses.

Before you get a tattoo or have your body pierced, ask the right questions. Find out what steps the staff takes to prevent HIV and other infections, like hepatitis B and hepatitis C. You also can call your local health department to ask how tattoo shops should sterilize their tools. A new, sterilized needle should be used for each person.

Many, but not all, states regulate and issue permits for tattoo parlors. Before getting a tattoo, learn what regulations your tattoo parlor must follow and whether it has passed a health inspection.

Fact: HIV is not spread by mosquitoes, sweat, tears, pools, or casual contact.

Even if mosquitoes could carry the HIV virus, they do not inject blood into your skin. No transmission of this type has ever been reported around the world. Also, you cannot get HIV from shaking hands, using the toilet, or coming into contact with someone’s sweat or tears from their eyes. The only bodily fluids that are known to transmit HIV are semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, breastmilk, and blood (including menstrual blood).

The post Facts about HIV and AIDS for Women appeared first on Medika Life.

Who is at risk for HIV?

All women can get HIV, but your risk for getting HIV is higher if you:

• Have unprotected sex
• Have injected illegal drugs, either now or in the past
• Had sex with someone to get money or drugs in return or with someone who has traded sex for money or drugs
• Had sex with someone who
  • Has HIV
  • Has sex with both men and women
  • Injects drugs
• Have another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985

Women who have sex with men

In the United States, most women get HIV from having sex with a man.

Women are more likely than men to get HIV during vaginal sex because:

• The vagina has a larger surface area (compared with the penis) that can be exposed to HIV-infected semen.
• Semen can stay in your vagina for several days after sex. This means you are exposed to the virus longer.
• Having a vaginal yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI) makes HIV transmission more likely. This is because the yeast or bacterial infection or STI brings white blood cells (and therefore CD4 cells that can be infected with HIV) into the vaginal area. Small cuts on the skin of your vagina (common with genital ulcers from herpes or syphilis) are hard to notice but may allow HIV to pass into your body.

As a woman, you are more likely to get HIV during vaginal sex when:

• You are unaware of your partner’s risk factors for HIV. Some men, for example, have sex with men as well as women but do not tell their female partners.
• Your male partner was recently infected. During this time, the amount of HIV in his semen is higher. Exposure during early infection may cause up to half of all HIV transmissions in the United States.
• Your partners do not use male latex condoms or you do not use female condoms correctly every time you have sex.
• You have a history of sexual abuse, which can lead to riskier future behavior.
• You have sex with multiple partners or have sex with someone who is having sex with multiple partners.
• You have sex in exchange for money or drugs.
• You misuse drugs or alcohol before or during sex.

Women who inject drugs or share needles

Women who use injection drugs or share needles or syringes and other injection equipment are at high risk for HIV. In fact, sharing needles is the second most common way that HIV is spread. (Sex is the most common way that HIV is spread.) Use of injected drugs also raises your risk for risky behaviors, such as not using a condom during sex. In a study of U.S. cities with high levels of HIV, 72% of women who injected drugs reported having sex without a condom in the past year.

If you use injection drugs, talk to your doctor about medicine, called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to prevent getting HIV.

Women who have sex with women

Women who have sex only with women might think they are safe from HIV. This type of HIV transmission is rare. If you are a woman and your female partner has HIV, you can get it if you have cuts, bleeding gums, or sores in your mouth and you give oral sex. It is also possible to spread HIV through menstrual blood and shared sex toys.

As a woman who has sex with women, it is also possible to get HIV if:

• You inject or your partner injects drugs with someone who has HIV
• You have or your partner has sex with a man who has HIV
• You are trying to get pregnant and use semen that has not been tested for HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Lower your risk of getting HIV or passing it to your partner:

• Know your HIV status and your partner’s HIV status.
• Take steps to protect yourself and others from HIV.
• Use latex condoms correctly and every time if you have sex with men.
• Use dental dams correctly.
• Never share sex toys.

Younger women

Young women are at risk for HIV:

• According to a 2013 survey, only half of female high school students used a condom the last time they had sex. Only one in eight female high school students in the study had ever been tested for HIV.
• Younger women are more likely to have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Having an untreated STI makes HIV transmission more likely. An untreated vaginal yeast or bacterial infection can also increase the risk of transmission. This is because the infection brings white blood cells (and therefore CD4 cells that can be infected with HIV) into the area. This is especially true for women, because small cuts on the skin of the vagina are hard to notice but may allow HIV to pass into your body.
• Teen girls and younger women are at higher risk for HIV infection than adult women, because their reproductive tract is still developing.

Older women

Women over 50 are still at risk for HIV. Older women are more likely than younger women to be diagnosed with HIV much later after they are first infected.

This may be because older women may think they do not need condoms, because they do not worry about getting pregnant. They may not talk about safe sex with their doctors or partner or get tested regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Their doctors may also not suspect their symptoms could be caused by HIV. A later diagnosis can mean a later start to treatment and possibly more damage to your immune system. It can also raise the risk of spreading HIV to other people.

You can get HIV at any age. In fact, the decrease in hormone levels during and after menopause means your vagina will probably not be as lubricated (wet) as it used to be. This means that you have a greater risk for tiny cuts in your vagina during sex that can make it easier for HIV to get in.

Other health concerns

Older women with HIV also need to think about other health problems, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. If you have HIV, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to lower your risk of these problems. Ask about screening tests you might need as you age.

African-American and Hispanic women

Women of color, especially African-American and Hispanic women, are disproportionately affected by HIV.

• African-American women made up more than 61% of new HIV infections among women in 2015 but are only 14% of the female population in the United States. African-American women face the highest risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared with women of other groups. However, many African-American women do not know their HIV status. Poverty, stigma, and fear of discrimination may prevent women from getting tested or seeking care if infected.
• Hispanic women made up 15% of new HIV infections among women in 2015. Cultural challenges may raise Hispanic women’s risk for HIV. Hispanic women may avoid seeking testing, counseling, or treatment if infected because of their immigration status, stigma, or fear of discrimination. Poverty may also prevent Hispanic women from getting care.

Act Against AIDS: Take Charge. Take the Test.

Take Charge. Take the Test.™ urges African-American women to get tested for HIV. The program is part of the Act Against AIDS campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The effort helps you recognize your risk of getting HIV and the need for HIV testing. It provides you with the information and help you need to take charge of your life — whatever your HIV test result.

The post Women and HIV in the US appeared first on Medika Life.

Most women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their life. This common and frustrating issue is a common complaint in an Obgyn office. Many women want to know why yeast happens and how to fix it fast.

Yeast infections are easy to treat. Over-the-counter treatments are safe to use, but it is essential to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis if the infection is not going away. Many assume abnormal vaginal symptoms are due to yeast, but yeast infection symptoms are similar to other vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Self-diagnosing often leads to errors, but the situation “down there” will not improve if we are not treating the right thing.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

A yeast infection is a fungal infection, typically by candida, causing itching and burning of the vulva, the area around the vagina.

The vagina always contains small amounts of yeast. We have yeast on our skin, our mouth, and our gastrointestinal tract all the time. Our bodies keep yeast in check with healthy bacteria.

The vagina is an ecosystem maintained by a variety of yeast and bacteria living in perfect harmony. Periodically, something disruptive happens to break the status quo allowing yeast to flourish. When yeast outgrows the counterbalancing bacteria, women will notice a yeast infection.

Antibiotic use is a perfect example. When we take antibiotics to kill a bacterial infection, the medication also destroys the protective vaginal bacteria- balancing yeast. As a result, almost 50% of women end up with a yeast infection.

What causes yeast infections?

An overgrowth of the microscopic fungus Candida causes yeast infections. Candida albicans is the most common culprit accounting for 75% of the cases. Candida glabrata and candida tropicales are two other types of yeast causing candida species.

Who gets vaginal yeast infections?

Any woman can develop a yeast infection. In fact, three out of four women will have a yeast infection at some point in their life, and almost half of women have two or more infections.

Some medical conditions increase the risk of yeast infections. The risk is higher if:

• You are pregnant
• You have diabetes. Yeast loves glucose and will flourish in this environment.
• You use a type of hormonal birth control that has higher doses of estrogen.
• You douche. Douching disrupts the vaginal ecosystem by altering the vaginal acidity allowing yeast to grow.
• You recently took antibiotics
• You have a weakened immune system, such as from HIV or taking steroid medication

What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections?

Vaginal and vulvar itching is the most common symptom followed by an abnormal, thick, white cottage-cheese vaginal discharge. Some women notice pain during sex or painful urination. Others notice vulvar burning, irritation, or swelling.

Everyone’s experience will vary. Symptoms may be severe for some and barely noticeable for others.

Can I get a yeast infection from having sex?

The relationship between sex and yeast is tricky. A yeast infection is not considered an STI, but sexual intercourse alters the vaginal chemistry by changing the pH balance. The vagina regulates its ecosystem by maintaining a normal pH level. A vaginal pH between 3.5–5.5 suppresses yeast and anaerobic bacteria.

Sex temporarily disrupts the balance. Vaginal secretions and semen change the chemistry, and in some cases, allow abnormal amounts of yeast or bacteria to flourish. The good news is vaginas, in most cases, effectively reestablish normal pH to keep itself healthy.

In rare cases, some women get yeast infections from a sexual partner or improperly-washed sex toys. The cases are not common. In my experience, most cases of sex-induced yeast are misdiagnosed and warrant a second opinion.

Because yeast infections are not STIs, sexual partners do not need to be treated.

Should I call my doctor if I have a yeast infection?

It is acceptable to self-medicate with an over-the-counter antifungal medication if you feel certain a yeast infection is present. If the infection is recurrent or not going away, then it is time to call a doctor.

Seeing your doctor or practitioner is the only way to find out for sure if you have a yeast infection and not a more serious problem.

The signs and symptoms of a yeast infection are a lot like symptoms of other more serious infections. Trichomoniasis is an STI that also causes itching, and bacterial vaginosis (BV) often causes vaginal discharge.

If left untreated, STIs and BV raise your risk of getting other STIs, including HIV. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to problems getting pregnant. BV can also lead to problems during pregnancy, such as preterm labor and premature delivery.

How is a yeast infection diagnosed?

A doctor will do a pelvic exam to look for swelling and characteristic discharge. The doctor may also use a cotton swab to take a sample of the discharge from the vagina, and then look at the sample under a microscope to evaluate for fungus.

Nucleic acid amplification microbial testing is a widely available rapid test technology to help distinguish between yeast, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Yeast cultures are sometimes performed to determine the candida species to help guide treatment in recurrent cases.

How is a yeast infection treated?

Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medicine.

Antifungal medications can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. Antifungal medicines come in the form of creams, tablets, ointments, or suppositories to be inserted into the vagina. Treatments vary from single-dose therapy to daily use for up to seven days.

A doctor or practitioner can also prescribe a single dose of oral antifungal medicine such as fluconazole.

Patients suffering from recurrent vaginal yeast infections may qualify for more robust testing and treatment.

Are over-the-counter yeast medications safe?

In general, self-treatment for suspected yeast is safe. If the diagnosis is uncertain or not improving, it is best to talk with a provider to confirm we are treating the correct problem.

It may sound silly, but if we are not treating the right problem then it will not get better. Studies show that two out of three women who buy yeast infection medicine don’t really have a yeast infection.

If a yeast infection is not going away then some other infection may be causing the problem.

How do I treat a yeast infection if pregnant?

During pregnancy, it is safe to treat a yeast infection with vaginal creams or suppositories that contain Terconazole, Miconazole, or Clotrimazole.

Obgyns typically avoid the oral fluconazole tablet to treat a yeast infection during pregnancy. Some studies show high-dose first-trimester use may cause birth defects. This medication may be indicated in certain clinical situations.

How can I prevent a yeast infection?

These steps may lower the risk of getting yeast infections:

• Do not douche.
• Do not use scented feminine products
• Change tampons, pads, and panty liners often.
• Avoid tight underwear or restrictive clothing that increases body heat, sweat, and genital moisture.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and workout clothes when finished.
• Wipe from front to back when using the bathroom.
• Avoid hot tubs and very hot baths.
• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes. ,

What should I do if I get repeat yeast infections?

If you get four or more yeast infections in a year, talk to your doctor or nurse.

About 5% of women get four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. This is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). RVVC is more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems, such as with HIV, but it can also happen in otherwise healthy women.

Doctors most often treat RVVC with antifungal medicine for up to six months.

The post Vaginal Yeast Infections: Why Women Get Them and What to Do About It appeared first on Medika Life.

What is bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition caused by changes in the amount of certain types of bacteria in your vagina. BV can develop when your vagina has more harmful bacteria than good bacteria.

Who gets BV?

BV is the most common vaginal condition in women ages 15 to 44.¹ But women of any age can get it, even if they have never had sex.

You may be more at risk for BV if you:

• Have a new sex partner
• Have multiple sex partners
• Douche
• Do not use condoms or dental dams
• Are pregnant. BV is common during pregnancy. About 1 in 4 pregnant women get BV. The risk for BV is higher for pregnant women because of the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy.
• Are African-American. BV is twice as common in African-American women as in white women.
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD), especially if you also have irregular bleeding

How do you get BV?

Researchers are still studying how women get BV. You can get BV without having sex, but BV is more common in women who are sexually active. Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, as well as douching, can upset the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your vagina. This raises your risk of getting BV.¹

What are the symptoms of BV?

Many women have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Unusual vaginal discharge. The discharge can be white (milky) or gray. It may also be foamy or watery. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex.
• Burning when urinating
• Itching around the outside of the vagina
• Vaginal irritation

These symptoms may be similar to vaginal yeast infections and other health problems. Only your doctor or nurse can tell you for sure whether you have BV.

What is the difference between BV and a vaginal yeast infection?

BV and vaginal yeast infections are both common causes of vaginal discharge. They have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to know if you have BV or a yeast infection. Only your doctor or nurse can tell you for sure if you have BV.

With BV, your discharge may be white or gray but may also have a fishy smell. Discharge from a yeast infection may also be white or gray but may look like cottage cheese.

How is BV diagnosed?

There are tests to find out if you have BV. Your doctor or nurse takes a sample of vaginal discharge. Your doctor or nurse may then look at the sample under a microscope, use an in-office test, or send it to a lab to check for harmful bacteria. Your doctor or nurse may also see signs of BV during an exam.

Before you see a doctor or nurse for a test:

• Don’t douche or use vaginal deodorant sprays. They might cover odors that can help your doctor diagnose BV. They can also irritate your vagina.
• Make an appointment for a day when you do not have your period.

How is BV treated?

BV is treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

If you get BV, your male sex partner won’t need to be treated. But, if you are female and have a female sex partner, she might also have BV. If your current partner is female, she needs to see her doctor. She may also need treatment.

It is also possible to get BV again. Learn how to lower your risk for BV.

BV and vaginal yeast infections are treated differently. BV is treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter medicines. But you cannot treat BV with over-the-counter yeast infection medicine.

What can happen if BV is not treated?

If BV is untreated, possible problems may include:

• Higher risk of getting STIs, including HIV. Having BV can raise your risk of getting HIV, genital herpes, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and gonorrhea. Women with HIV who get BV are also more likely to pass HIV to a male sexual partner.
• Pregnancy problems. BV can lead to premature birth or a low-birth-weight baby (smaller than 5 1/2 pounds at birth). All pregnant women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated if they have it.

What should I do if I have BV?

BV is easy to treat. If you think you have BV:

• See a doctor or nurse. Antibiotics will treat BV.
• Take all of your medicine. Even if symptoms go away, you need to finish all of the antibiotic.
• Tell your sex partner(s) if she is female so she can be treated.
• Avoid sexual contact until you finish your treatment.
• See your doctor or nurse again if you have symptoms that don’t go away within a few days after finishing the antibiotic.

Is it safe to treat pregnant women who have BV?

Yes. The medicine used to treat BV is safe for pregnant women. All pregnant women with symptoms of BV should be tested and treated if they have it.

If you do have BV, you can be treated safely at any stage of your pregnancy. You will get the same antibiotic given to women who are not pregnant.

How can I lower my risk of BV?

Researchers do not know exactly how BV spreads. Steps that might lower your risk of BV include:

• Keeping your vaginal bacteria balanced. Use warm water only to clean the outside of your vagina. You do not need to use soap. Even mild soap can cause irritate your vagina. Always wipe front to back from your vagina to your anus. Keep the area cool by wearing cotton or cotton-lined underpants.
• Not douching. Douching upsets the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your vagina. This may raise your risk of BV. It may also make it easier to get BV again after treatment. Doctors do not recommend douching.
• Not having sex. Researchers are still studying how women get BV. You can get BV without having sex, but BV is more common in women who have sex.
• Limiting your number of sex partners. Researchers think that your risk of getting BV goes up with the number of partners you have.

How can I protect myself if I am a female and my female partner has BV?

If your partner has BV, you might be able to lower your risk by using protection during sex.

• Use a dental dam every time you have sex. A dental dam is a thin piece of latex that is placed over the vagina before oral sex.
• Cover sex toys with condoms before use. Remove the condom and replace it with a new one before sharing the toy with your partner.

The post Bacterial Vaginosis appeared first on Medika Life.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Although easily treated with antibiotics, many infections are unrecognized. Testing is required to find it. When infections are left unchecked, chlamydia can lead to male and female infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic pain.

Chlamydia initially infects the penis and the cervix (the opening of the uterus at the back of the vagina). In women, chlamydia can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID occurs when bacteria spread from the cervix to the fallopian tubes. PID may result in scar tissue and permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. In men, chlamydia can spread to the tubes surrounding the testicles causing epididymitis.

Chlamydial infections can facilitate the transmission of HIV infection.

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is known as the “silent infection.” Asymptomatic carriers pass the infection from one partner to another. An asymptomatic carrier is someone who has the disease but does not know it. Without testing, people who do not know they have chlamydia unknowingly spread the infection to their partners.

When symptoms occur, they appear one to three weeks after infection.

Most often, men have no symptoms. Some may have penile discharge, burning with urination, anal discharge or irritation around the opening of the penis.

Women typically are also asymptomatic. Some may notice unusual vaginal discharge or burning with urination. Some may experience irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting. If chlamydia spreads beyond the cervix, one may develop lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods

How is Chlamydia transmitted?

There are two ways most STDs are transmitted: fluid transmission or skin-to-skin contact. Chlamydia is a fluid transmitted infection. Chlamydia is transmitted when bodily fluids from one person are shared with another via vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Fluids are present in the vagina, penis mouth, and anus. Infections can occur even without ejaculation.

To keep things as clear as possible, any sexual act involving the exchange of bodily fluids allows chlamydia to spread from one person to another.

Toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, eating utensils, or any other casual contact do not spread chlamydia.

How is Chlamydia diagnosed?

Testing is required to diagnose chlamydia. A physical exam is not reliable to diagnose this infection. A healthcare provider will obtain a specimen from the cervix, anus, throat, penis, or urine. Results are usually available within 1–2 days.

The CDC recommends women under age 26, and those with risk factors get tested every year. Risk factors include new sex partners, multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men, a sex partner with concurrent partners, and a partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.

How is Chlamydia treated?

Fortunately, chlamydia is a curable STD. It is easily treated with antibiotics. such as Azithromycin or Doxycycline.

All sexual partners must be notified, evaluated, tested, and treated. If not, then one may be reinfected by an untreated partner and the infection spread to future partners.

One should abstain from unprotected sexual contact until they and their sex partners have completed their treatment. Many doctors recommend a follow-up test to confirm treatment success (a test of cure).

Chlamydia in pregnancy

During pregnancy, untreated Chlamydia can lead to preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes (water breaking), and premature delivery. Pregnant women may pass chlamydial infections to their babies during delivery which may result in infections in the eyes or lungs.

Antibiotics are placed over the baby’s eyes after delivery in most countries to prevent neonatal eye infections. Chlamydia is the leading cause of blindness in underdeveloped countries.

Prevention is key

Prevention is best achieved by abstinence from sexual activity or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship. The use of latex condoms consistently and correctly can reduce the risk of transmission.

Condoms are highly effective in preventing fluid transmitted STDs. Water-based lubricants should be used with latex condoms to provide the most protection.

The CDC recommends annual screening for all sexually active individuals younger than 26. Men and women with risk factors, including a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, should undergo testing. All pregnant women should undergo testing for chlamydia. Women and men with new partners should be tested for all sexually transmitted diseases.

The post Chlamydia: The Most Common Bacterial STI and How to Avoid It appeared first on Medika Life.

What is trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis is a common and curable sexually transmitted disease caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite lives in the urethra in men and the lower genital tract in women. The female anatomic parts included are the vagina, urethra (where urine comes out), and the cervix (the opening of the uterus).

The colloquial term for this STI is “trich” (pronounced Trick). Trichomonads are tiny parasitic bugs living in body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. They jump from one person to another when fluids transmit during sexual activity.

How do you know if you have trichomoniasis?

Most people have no symptoms at all. Only about 30% of people infected develop signs and symptoms meaning asymptomatic carriers pass the infection from one partner to another. An asymptomatic carrier is someone who has the disease but does not know it. Without testing, people who do not know they have trichomoniasis unknowingly spread the infection to their partners.

When symptoms occur, they appear one to four weeks after infection.

Typically, men do not have symptoms at all. Some men may have an irritation on the inside of the penis, mild discharge, testicular pain, or slight burning after urination or ejaculation.

Women have symptoms more often than men. Trichomoniasis causes a malodorous discharge that is frothy and yellow-green. It is a common cause of vaginal itching, often leading to incorrect self-treatment with over-the-counter yeast medication. This STI can lead to irritation of the genital area and discomfort during sex and urination.

How do you catch trichomoniasis?

There are two ways most STDs are transmitted: fluid transmission or skin-to-skin contact. Trichomoniasis is a fluid transmitted infection. It is transmitted when bodily fluids from one person are shared with another via vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Fluids are present in the vagina, penis, mouth, and anus. Infections can occur even without ejaculation.

To keep things as clear as possible, any sexual act involving the exchange of bodily fluids allows trichomoniasis to spread from one person to another. The parasite can survive on surfaces for around 45 minutes. Sex toys should be properly cleaned after use.

How do you diagnosis trichomoniasis?

Most of the time, a simple physical exam can not accurately diagnose trichomoniasis. Experienced medical providers may suspect the infection based on the classic musty odor and appearance of discharge. A confirmation test is the most accurate way to diagnose this STI.

A microscope can be used to evaluate fluid from the vagina, penis, or urine to look for the parasites using a technique called a wet prep. A microscopic examination allows for immediate point-of-care diagnosis but will miss many infections. A nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is the most accurate way to confirm the infection.

The CDC does not have specific recommendations on who should get tested for trichomoniasis. Risk factors include new sex partners, multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men, a sex partner with concurrent partners, and a partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.

How is trichomoniasis treated?

Fortunately, we can easily treat trichomoniasis with antibiotics. It is a curable STI. Metronidazole is the most common antibiotic and is most effective when given in a single dose. High dose Metronidazole can cause nausea and one must avoid alcohol when taking this medication.

All sex partners should be notified, evaluated, tested, and treated. The parasite is harder to detect in men making male testing less reliable. Male partners of trichomoniasis positive women should be treated regardless of their results.

This strategy reduces the risk of reinfection by an untreated partner or the spread to future partners.

One should abstain from unprotected sexual contact until all partners have completed their treatment. I recommend a follow-up test to confirm treatment success (a test of cure), but this is not the official standard of care.

Prevention is key

Prevention is best achieved by abstinence from sexual activity or to be involved in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship. The use of latex condoms consistently and correctly can reduce the risk of transmission.

Condoms are highly effective in preventing fluid transmitted sexually transmitted infections. Water-based lubricants combined with latex condoms provide the most protection. Non-water-based lubricants can break down latex and reduce protection.

Men and women with risk factors, including a new sex partner or multiple sex partners, should undergo testing.

Testing for all sexually transmitted infections helps keep you and your partners safe.

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